Research shows that 68% of Brazilian college students have strong cooking skills, according to a 2026 cross-sectional study of 3,138 undergraduates. Female students and those who learned through classes or self-teaching methods like the internet had the highest cooking abilities. Universities can improve student cooking skills by targeting male students, teaching cooking terms and techniques, and making fresh fruits and vegetables more accessible on campus.
A new study of over 3,100 Brazilian college students found that nearly 7 out of 10 undergraduates have strong cooking skills. According to Gram Research analysis, female students, those who took cooking classes, and students who learned from the internet or cookbooks were more likely to cook well. The research suggests that universities should focus on teaching male students how to cook and making fresh fruits and vegetables easier to access on campus. Learning cooking skills in college could help young adults eat healthier throughout their lives.
Key Statistics
A 2026 cross-sectional study of 3,138 Brazilian college students found that 68% demonstrated high cooking skills, with female students significantly more likely to cook well than male students.
According to research reviewed by Gram, students who learned cooking through formal classes, courses, or self-directed methods like the internet and cookbooks were substantially more likely to have strong cooking abilities than those with no cooking instruction.
A 2026 study of 3,138 undergraduates showed that students with high knowledge of cooking terms and techniques and good access to fresh fruits and vegetables were significantly less likely to have low or intermediate cooking skills.
Research from 4 Brazilian universities found that 72.6% of the 3,138 college students surveyed were female, with a median age of 22 years, and cooking skill levels varied significantly by gender and learning method.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether college students know how to cook and what factors help them develop cooking skills
- Who participated: 3,138 undergraduate students from 4 public universities in Brazil, mostly female (72.6%), with an average age of 22 years, studied between October 2020 and March 2021
- Key finding: 68% of college students demonstrated high cooking skills, with female students and those who learned through classes or self-teaching methods showing the strongest abilities
- What it means for you: If you’re a college student wanting to improve your cooking, taking a class or learning online can help. Universities should make it easier for students to access fresh produce and teach cooking basics, especially to male students who may have fewer cooking skills.
The Research Details
Researchers surveyed 3,138 college students across four Brazilian universities between October 2020 and March 2021. They used a special questionnaire designed specifically to measure cooking skills and knowledge of healthy eating. The survey asked students about their ability to prepare meals, their knowledge of cooking techniques and food terms, and how they learned to cook. Researchers then used statistical analysis to see which factors—like being male or female, family income, or how they learned to cook—were connected to having strong cooking skills. This type of study is called cross-sectional because it takes a snapshot of students at one point in time rather than following them over months or years.
Understanding what cooking skills college students have is important because it can help universities design better programs to teach healthy eating. Young adults who learn to cook in college are more likely to eat well throughout their lives. This research provides clear information about which students need the most help and what teaching methods work best.
This study surveyed a large number of students (over 3,000) from multiple universities, which makes the findings more reliable than a smaller study. The researchers used a validated questionnaire specifically designed to measure cooking skills. However, because this is a cross-sectional study, it shows what’s true at one moment in time but cannot prove that one thing causes another. The study was conducted in Brazil, so results may differ in other countries with different food cultures and university systems.
What the Results Show
Nearly 7 out of 10 college students (68%) showed high cooking skills. Female students were significantly more likely to have strong cooking skills than male students. Students who learned to cook through formal classes, courses, or school programs had better skills than those who never received formal instruction. Interestingly, students who taught themselves through the internet, cookbooks, or TV programs also developed good cooking skills, showing that self-teaching can be just as effective as formal classes. Students who knew more cooking terms and techniques were much less likely to have weak or average cooking skills.
Access to fresh fruits and vegetables made a big difference in cooking skills. Students who had easy access to fresh produce were less likely to have low or intermediate cooking skills. This suggests that when healthy ingredients are available and affordable, students are more motivated to cook. The study also found that socioeconomic factors (like family income) played a role, though the research focused mainly on how students learned to cook as the strongest predictor of skill level.
This is one of the first large studies to measure cooking skills specifically in college students in Brazil. Previous research has shown that cooking skills are linked to healthier eating in adults, but this study provides new evidence that most college students already have decent cooking abilities. The finding that self-teaching through online resources works as well as formal classes is newer and reflects how young people today learn differently than previous generations.
This study only included students from public universities in Brazil, so the results may not apply to private universities or students in other countries. The study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic (October 2020 to March 2021), which may have affected students’ cooking habits and access to cooking classes. The survey relied on students’ own reports of their skills rather than actually watching them cook, so some students may have overestimated or underestimated their abilities. The study shows connections between factors and cooking skills but cannot prove that one thing causes another.
The Bottom Line
Universities should create cooking classes and workshops, especially for male students who show lower cooking skill levels (moderate confidence). Make fresh fruits and vegetables more available and affordable in campus dining areas and nearby stores (moderate-to-strong confidence). Teach students cooking vocabulary and basic techniques through multiple methods—classes, online resources, and cookbooks—since all approaches work (moderate confidence). Encourage peer learning and cooking clubs where students can teach each other (lower confidence, based on this study’s findings).
College students who want to eat healthier should care about this research, especially male students who may not have learned to cook growing up. University administrators and dining services should use these findings to design better food programs. Parents of college students might want to encourage their children to take cooking classes before or during college. High school students preparing for college could benefit from learning basic cooking skills.
Cooking skills can improve relatively quickly—most people see noticeable improvement within 2-4 weeks of regular practice. However, becoming truly confident in the kitchen typically takes 2-3 months of consistent cooking. The health benefits of cooking at home (like eating more vegetables and less processed food) can start appearing within weeks but become more significant over months.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of college students can actually cook?
According to a 2026 study of 3,138 Brazilian college students, 68% demonstrated high cooking skills. Female students showed stronger abilities than male students, and those who learned through classes or self-teaching methods performed best.
Is it better to learn cooking from classes or by teaching yourself?
Research shows both methods work equally well. Students who took formal cooking classes and those who taught themselves through the internet, cookbooks, or TV programs both developed strong cooking skills, suggesting multiple learning paths are effective.
Why do male college students have lower cooking skills?
The study found male students had lower cooking skills but didn’t explain why. Possible reasons include fewer opportunities to learn as children, less family encouragement, or different cultural expectations, but the research didn’t investigate these causes.
How does access to fresh vegetables affect cooking skills?
Students with easy access to fresh fruits and vegetables were significantly less likely to have weak cooking skills. Better ingredient availability appears to motivate students to cook more and develop stronger culinary abilities.
Can learning to cook in college help you eat healthier?
Yes. Research shows cooking skills are linked to healthier eating habits. College is an ideal time to develop these skills since they can influence eating patterns throughout adulthood, making universities good places to teach cooking.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track the number of home-cooked meals you prepare each week and the types of vegetables you use. Set a goal to increase from your current baseline by 1-2 meals per week.
- Use the app to find simple 15-20 minute recipes that use fresh vegetables. Create a shopping list feature that helps you buy ingredients for planned meals, making fresh produce more accessible.
- Log each meal you cook with photos and ingredients used. Track your confidence level (1-10 scale) with different cooking techniques monthly. Monitor your vegetable intake and note which cooking methods you’re learning.
This research describes cooking skills and eating patterns in Brazilian college students and should not be considered medical advice. Individual cooking abilities and nutritional needs vary widely. Students with specific dietary restrictions, food allergies, or health conditions should consult with a healthcare provider or registered dietitian before making significant changes to their cooking practices or diet. This study is observational and shows associations, not cause-and-effect relationships. Results from Brazilian universities may not apply to all populations or countries.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.